Chicago City Railway Co. v. Miller

Mr. Presiding Justice Freeman delivered the opinion of the court.. It is contended, first, that the verdict is not justified by the evidence. There is evidence in behalf of appellee to the effect that he started to cross appellant’s tracks in front of a cable train which was at the time standing still, and that when his horse was on the track the gripcar was suddenly started, striking his wagon and causing the injury. Appellant, on the contrary, insists that the train was already in motion around the curve where the tracks turn from State into Madison streets, when appellee drove his wagon immediately in front of the moving gripcar where it was impossible for the gripman to avoid the collision; and it is said that this view is sustained by the greater weight of evidence. The testimony creates perhaps some doubt as to the negligence charged against appellant. But that there is considerable evidence which, if true, sustains the declaration in this respect, cannot be questioned, even though it may not support the charge of wilful and intentional wrong. ' We cannot sav from all the evidence that the jury were not justified in concluding that there was in this case negligence on the part of appellant’s gripman resulting in the injury, merely because there is evidence to the contrary which from the record alone we might perhaps incline to believe was entitled to greater weight. It must suffice to say, that we are convinced upon careful consideration that interference with the verdict and judgment in this case upon that ground would be unwarranted. Were it otherwise, we should not hesitate to perform the duty devolving upon us where we find the evidence not sufficient to authorize the judgment, and to reverse on that ground. See Berg v. C. R. I. & P. Ry. Co., 162 Ill. 348, 355; Chi. & Erie Ry. Co. v. Meach, 163 Ill. 305, 308; Gall v. Beckstein, 173 Ill. 167; Ill. Cent. R. R. Co. v. Cunningham, 102 Ill. App. 206, 208. It is further contended that the trial court erred in admitting improper evidence. Appellee was asked what expenses, if any, he had incurred in his endeavors to get his “ leg cured with physicians and surgeons.” An objection to the question, that no proper foundation was laid, and that it was incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial, was overruled. The plaintiff then asked, “ You mean my whole expenses ?” to which his attorney responded “ Yes”; the witness answered, “Oh, $1500.” A motion was made to strike out the answer, which the court overruled. Bo evidence was introduced tending to show what the services were for which appellee had incurred this amount of expense, nor whether such services were reasonable, customary or usual, and the motion to strike out the answer under consideration was properly made in accordance with what is said in Chicago City Ry. Co. v. Menely, 79 Ill. App. 679, 682. “ The proper measure was the usual and reasonable charge of the profession generally.” Chicago City Ry. Co. v. Wall, 93 Ill. App. 411, 416. No such testimony appears in this record, and there is nothing to show the nature of the alleged expenses to which appellee testifies in this off-hand manner, nor how they were incurred. The question called in the nature of things for hearsay testimony. We are of opinion that the objection was sufficiently specific and that the motion to strike out should have been allowed. The testimony was not followed up by any further proof. The error in this respect, however, goes only to the amount of damages, and can be cured by remittitur. If, therefore, appellee’s attorneys shall within ten days remit the sum of $1,500, the judgment will be affirmed for the remainder; otherwise it will be reversed and the cause remanded. Affirmed with remittitur. Bemittitur filed and cause affirmed December 26, 1903.